Machine for attaching keys to containers



Dec. 25, 1934. KRQNQUEST MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet l 1366- 1934. A, KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 25, 1934. A. L. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 x I I l ll Dec. 25, 1934. A. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 25, 1934. A, L. KRONQUEST 1,985,864

MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO. CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 1934- A. L. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS 8 SheetS Sheet 6 Filed Marh 2, 1953 Dec. 25, 1934. KRONQUEST 1,985,864

MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 1934- A. KRONQUEST MACHINE FOR ATTACHING KEYS TO CONTAINERS Filed March 2, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Dec. 25, 1934 I r I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FORATTACHING KEYS 'ro CONTAINERS Alfred L. Kronquest, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor' to I Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, .N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 2, 1933, Serial No. 659,423

20 Claims. (01. 113--1) The invention relates to new and useful im- Fig 11 is a perspective view showing the key provements in a machine for attaching keys to supporting finger at the lowerend of the magaa container, which keys are to be separated from zine; l I the container and used for removing the tearing Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the strip when the container is to be opened. presser foot andjthe spring which supports the 5 An object of the invention is to provide'a key same with the parts separated; attaching machine wherein the keys may be Fig. 13 is a view showing the traveling clinchplaced on the containers and attached thereto. ing device when first brought into engagement A further object of the invention is to provide with the key; V a machine of the above type wherein the key Fig. 14 isa similar view showing the clinch- 10 is clinched to the container by a travelingv clinchingdevice as having bent the end of the key being device moving in timing with the container neath the double seam; during the operation of the clinching device. Fig. 15 is a sectional view through the con- A still further object of the invention is to tainer showing a key applied thereto, and 15 provide a machine of the above type with a key Fig. 16 is a'plan view ofthe container with the 15 feeding means which places the key on the conkey attachedthereto. r tainer in proper 'position for clinchingthereto In carrying out the invention, a support is while the container is moving. provided alongwhich theclosed containers are These and other objects will inpart be obvious fed by a traveling conveying chain having fingers 20 and will in part be hereinafter more fully diswhich engage the containers and slide the same 20 closed. v 7 along the support. At the receiving end of the In the drawings which show byway of illussupport, there is a'timing device for timing the tration one embodiment -of the, invention containers on to the conveyor sothat they will Figure l is a front view ofa key attaching be received by the conveyor properly spaced for means embodying the improvements; engagement with the traveling fingers. The con- 25 Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line tainers are first fed beneath a key supporting 22 of. Fig. l; i 1 r means with which is associated'a magazine having Fig. 3 is a plan view of the part of the machine the keys stacked therein one on another. The containing the key feeding mechanism and the lowermost key is removed from the magazine clinching mechanismy by a'reciprocating'slidewhichforces-the key 30 Fig. 4 is a view on an enlarged scale and in front from beneath the stack on to a supporting ledge elevation of the key feeding mechanism, the where the key is held by a'yielding presser foot clinching mechanism, and the portion .of the with the hook end of the key positioned so as to conveyor immediately associated therewith; be engaged by the double seam of the container 3-3 Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail in plan of the key as it passes beneath thesupport. The. container feeding mechanism; i i with thekey thereon is next fed to the clinching Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of a portion means, and a suitable guide is provided forholdof the key feeding mechanism, the guide for the ing the key from lateral shifting along the double key being in section; i T seam and for directing the keyinto engagement Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line with the clinching device; The container ismoved 40 7-7 of Fig. l and showing diagrammaticallyv the by the traveling finger of the conveying chain lower end of the'fmagazine and the key placing on to a support which has a reciprocating movemeans with a container beneath the key placing 'ment and is so timed as to receive the container, means; i carryingthe same away from the finger to -a Fig. 8 isatransverse sectional view through the slight extent for controlling the movement of magazine in which the keys are stored; the container during clinching. There is a Fig. 9 is a front view of the lower end of the clinching device which moves in timing with this magazineand showing theldwermost key in the support on which the container rests. This magazine, and also the feed slide; clinching device includes an anvil member which Fig. 10 is an edge view of the feed slide which contacts with the key, holding it firmly against feeds the keys from the magazine into position for the double seam and serving as an abutment so engagement with the container; that the movable clinching finger can bend the Fig. 10* is a detail showing the shape of the end of the key about the double seam. v end of the feed slide which delivers the keys It is believed theinvention will be better underf the magazine; w w stood by a detail descriptionof the present em bodiment thereof. The machine includes a frame structure having a base member 1 to which is attached an upright frame member 2. Mounted on the base member 1 is a second upright frame member 3, and carried by these upright members 2 and 3 is a table 4 on which the containers rest and along which they are moved beneath the key placing means to the clinching station and away from the clinching station after the key has been attached to the container. Said table 4 consists of spaced supporting members 4 and 4 between which is a slot 5. It also includes guide rails 6 and '7 between which the containers one of which is indicated in broken lines at C, in Fig. 3, moves. A conveyor chain 8 having a series of fingers 9, 9 passes beneath the slot 5 so that the fingers extend up through the slot projecting a slight distance above the table for engagement with the container. This conveyor chain runs over a sprocket wheellO at theleft of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, and over a sprocket wheel 11 at the right of the machine. Italso runs over a sprocket wheel12 mounted on a shaft 13 which is provided with gears meshing with a gear 14 on the main driving shaft 15. This main driving shaft 15 is operated by a belt wheel 16 which is connected tothe' shaft 15 through a suitable clutch operated by a cone-shaped member 17 and controlled by a lever 18. This clutch may be of any suitable construction and forms no part of the "present invention. On the shaft 15 is a handwheel 19 which enables-the parts of the machine to be turned by hand when the belt wheel16 is unclutched from the shaft 15. The

conveyor 8 also runs over the sprocket wheel 20 'be moved along'thetable'in spaced relation to each other. The containers are carried by the travelling chain beneath a supporting plate 22 carried by a bracket 23. Mounted on this bracket 23 is a key supporting magazine in which the keys'are stacked one on another. This magazine includes a vertically extending rear section 24 provided with an arm 25 which is secured to the bracket 23 by bolts26, '26. Attached to the vertically extending rear section 24 is a vertically extending front section 27 which is secured thereto by bolts 28. These two sections 24 and 27 are shaped so that they are spaced from each other' at the righthand side as viewed in Figures '5 and 8. The sections 24 and 27 are also provided with recesses to receive the handle portion of the key. This providesa storage space 29 in which the keys 30 are stacked one on another.

Referring to Figures 13 to 16, inclusive, the construction of the key and the manner of attaching the same to the container will be clearly understood. The container is indicated at C and the double seam joining the end of the container to the body portion thereof as indicated at 31. The key 30 is provided with a handle portion 32 and a shank or body portion 33 which is slotted at 34 so as to receive the tongue of a tearing strip. The tearing strip is rolled on to the key as it is turned, and thus the strip is forcibly torn away and the container-opened. The shank or body DDrtion of the key is extended and formed into a hook 35. The hook includes a shoulder 36 which is .the keys rest on this plate.

adapted to engage the double seam or vertical wall of the can end at the inner side of the double seam. The hook end extends down along the outer face of the double seam and is so proportioned that it may be turned underneath a portion of the double seam as indicated at 3'7. Thus it is that the key is attached to the container in a Way which holds the key firmly on the container and prevents any dislodgment thereof during the handling and shipping of the container. When, however, it is desired to remove the key, the operator grasping the handle end of the key raises the same and this will bend the metal at the hook end of the key so as to release it from the double seam.

The plate 22 extends beneath the magazine and The plate has a tapered face indicated at 38 in Figure 6. Attached to the magazine is a bracket 39 shown in detail in Fig. 11. This bracket 39 is provided with a pin 40 adapted to engage a socket in the magazine section 24 and a bolt passing up through the opening 41 rigidly secures the bracket to the rear section of the magazine. Said bracket is provided with a key supporting finger 42which has a horizontal section shaped to conform to the hook end of the key, and a tapered section 43 leading therefrom. The lowermost key in the magazine rests on this finger 42 at the hook end, and on the plate 22 at the handle end.

There is a feed slide 44 which moves beneath the magazine and above the plate'22, and strips the lowermost key from the stack, forcing it laterally along the plate 22 to a position at one side of the magazine. This slide moves the key from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, to a position shown in broken lines in said figure. As the key moves from beneath the stack, the hook end moves down the inclined face 43 and finally on from the end thereof. This brings the key handle into contact with the inclined face 38 of the plate 22, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Before the key' passes off from the extreme end of the finger'43, the handle end passes beneath a presser foot, shown in detail in Fig. 12. The presser foot includes a foot portion 45 which is fixed by means of screws to the free end of a spring plate 46. This spring plate 46 is in turn clamped to the upper face of the plate 22 by screws 47, 47. The foot portion 45 is inclined as indicated at 48, so that the handle of the key may be readily forced beneath this yielding presser foot. The purpose 'of the yielding presser foot is to frictionally grip the key, holding it on the inclined face 33 with the hook end projecting from the plate into the path of the container which is moved by the traveling conveyor beneath the plate 22. As shown in Fig. 6, the hook end of the key is so placed that the double seam 31 of the container C will contact with the hook end and then will forcibly pull the key from beneath the presser foot and the key will drop on to the container and be supported solely by the container and carried along with the container as it moves to the clinching means.

Theslide 44 for releasing the keys from the magazine and placing the same beneath the presser foot on the inclined portion 38 of the plate 22 is reciprocated by means of a lever 49. This lever 49 is pivoted at 50 to the bracket 23 and is provided with a forked end 51 adapted to engage a pin 52 carried by the feed slide 44. This pin projects downwardly from the slide and into the fork 51 of the lever 49. The slide is guided in the recess in the under face of the bracket 23 and is held therein by a plate 53;; The slide'is retracted by a spring 54 which is attached to a lug 55 at the 7 rear end of the slide 44, and to an arm 56 carried by the bracket 23 and projecting upwardly therefrom. i l it The lever 49 is provided with a forked end 57 adapted to engage a pin 58 carried by an arm 59 attached to a shaft 60. The shaft 60 is mounted in a bearing bracket 61 carried by the table, and in a bearing bracket 62- carried bythe bracket member 23. Secured to' this shaft 60 between spaced collars in the bearingbracket 61 is an arm 63. This arm 63 is provided with a head to which a cam finger 64 is secured by suitable bolts 65, 65. This cam finger normally lies in the path of travel of the container, as indicated in Fig. 5. The spring retracts the slide, and as it retracts the slide, it will swing the lever 49 in a counter-clockwise direction and this will swing the arm 63 in a clockwise direction, holding the cam finger 64 in the path of travel ofthe container. When the container contacts with this cam finger, it will force the same out of the path of travel of the container, and this will swing the arm and the lever 49 so as to move the slide forward and force a key from the stack on to the plate 22. If there is no container passing so as to contact with the cam finger 64, the slide will not'be operated, and therefore, one key is released fromthe magazine and'placed on the plate 22 in position to be engaged by the double seam by the movement of the container beneath the plate 22. v

The slide 44 for feeding the keys from the magazine is shaped so as to contact with the key and move the same bodily from beneath the magazine on to the platewithout twisting or turning key. In Fig. 10*, the end of the feed slide 44 is shown, and the key with which it contacts is indicated therein. The handle portion 32 contacts with the face 66. The shank portion 33 contacts with the two faces 67 and 68 which are so placed as to contact with the rounded portion of the key and the flat portion of the key containing the slot. It will thus be seen that the key is given this bodily movement on to theplate 22 over the path of travel of the container without any twisting or turning of the key. This will position the key with the longitudinal axis thereof parallel with the path of travel of the container beneath the plate 22. The under face of the forward end of theslide 44 is inclined to'correspond to the inclination of the surface 38 of the plate 22 as indicated at 38 (Fig. 9). This insures that the key will be pushed along this inclined face beneath the presser footand properly positioned for engagement with the double seam of the container as it passes beneath the plate 22.

Extending along the front edge of the plate 22 is an abutment or guide plate 69. This guide plate is fixed to the plate 22 by suitable screws. and the handle end of the key is brought up into contact with this plate which will serve as a guide for the key asit passes off from the inclined face 38 and drops on to the end of the container. When the key is moved forward on the inclined face 38, it is placed beneath the guiding member 70 which is pivotedat 71 tothe guide plate 69. The weight of this guiding member 70 normally tends to turn it in a clockwise direction, and the movement of the guiding member is limited by a stop screw 72 which is adjustably mounted in the shank portion of the guiding member 70. This stop screw bears against the spring supporting the presser foot and against the plate 22 as an abutment. By adjusting the screw, the position of this guide member can be accurately placed'.

In the under face of the guiding member 70 is a groove 73' which receives the upper portion of the hook end of the key andprevents any. lateral movement of the key along the double seam,.as the containermoves the key off from the inclined face 38 of the supporting plate 22. This guiding member '70 insures the accurate placing of the key on the container as. it falls 01f from this plate 22 on to the container. The key has now been placed on the container, and the container as it moves forward. with the key thereon, will carry the key into range of action of the keyclinching mechanism.

Mounted on the upright frame member2 isa vertically shiftable frame member 2 which carries the clinching head. Mounted for. rotation in this frame member 2 is a shaft 74. This shaft 74 carries a crank 75 having a crank pin 76 mounted thereon. The shaft 74 carries a gear77 which mesheswith a gear 78 carried by a shaft 79. The shaft 79 in turn carries a bevel gear 80 meshing with a bevel gear 81 at the upper end of a vertical shaft 82. This vertical shaft 82 engages a sleeve 83. The sleeve 83 has a key 84 therein engaging a 'flat face 85 on the shaft 82. This permits the shaft to have an endwise movement in the sleeve 83, but, any rotating movement of the sleeve 83 will impart a rotating movement to the shaft 82. The sleeve 83 is mounted for rotation in a bearing 83* carried by the upright frame member 2. At'the lower end of the sleeve is a bevel gear 86. meshing with a bevel gear 87 on the main shaft 15. Thus it is that the shaft 79 is rotated from the shaft 15,.and through a train of mechanism it permits the head carrying the clinching devices to be'raised and lowered when it is desired to clinch keys to containers of different heights.

Also mounted in this upright 'member 2 is a shaft 88 carrying a gear 8.9.meshing with the gear 78. The shaft 88 is also provided with a crank 90 carrying a. crank pin 91. Mounted on the two crank pins 76 and 91 is a clinching head 92. These cranks are so proportioned that the clinching head will. travel,with the cranks, but remain always in an upright position. Mounted in the clinching. head is a sleeve 93 which has a limited movement in the head; There is a cover plate 94 which covers the recess in the head in which this sleeve is mounted. The cover plate is secured to the head by suitable screws 95. On the cover plateis a lug 96 which engages an elongated recess 97 in the sleeve 93. The recess is longerthan the lug and permits of this limited movement; A spring 981ocated in the sleeve and bearing :against the closed lower end thereof as anabutment, and against the head atthe upper end thereof as an abutment, normally forces the sleeve in a downward direction until the lug 96 contacts with the upper end of the groove or recess 97. Fixed to the lower end of the sleeve is a clinching anvil and key supporting member 99. Said member is secured to the sleeve head by a bolt 100. This anvil member of the clinching device is provided with a vertical shoulder 101 and an inclined face 102. Cooperating with this anvil clinching member 99 is a movable clinching finger 103. Said clinching finger 103 is pivoted at 104 to the head at, the lower end of the sleeve. There is a spring 105 which normally tends to move the clinching finger 103 in a counterclockwise direction as seenin Figures 13 and 14. An adjustable stop 106 is carried by the clinching head, and the clinching finger 103 is held in conflii travel of the carriage.

tact with this stop by the spring. The clinching finger has an inclined inner face 103 and an operating shoulder 108.which contacts with the'key for the bending of the same'beneath the double seam. Also mounted on the head at the lower end .of the sleeve 93 is a bar 109. This bar is rigidly fixed to the sleeve head and has laterally projecting members which overlie the double seam of the container when it is placed beneath the clinching head. Theclinching head is so timed'in its movements as to travel with the container. .It will move downward bringing the bar 109 on to the 'doubleseam of the container, and this will limit the downward movement of the sleeve. At this time, the anvil clinching member 99 contacts" with the key, placing the abutment shoulder 101 of the anvil directly in rear of the inner portion of the hooklend of the key, firmly'holding the same against the inner wall of the double seam. Inasmuch as the sleeve is restrained against further downward movement, the continued downward movement of the traveling clinching head will cause the stop 106 to force the finger 103 downward and into contact with the extreme outer portion of the hook, and this will bend the hook under thedouble seam as indicated in Fig. 14 of the drawings. As soon as the hook end is clinched beneaththedouble seam and the key firmly attached to the double seam, the continued travel of the head causes it to raise, releasing the finger 103 whichiis moved upward by the spring 105, holding it in contact with the stop 106. The continued: movement of the clinching head will carry the clinching anvil 99 out of contact with the key and the-bar 109 out of contact with the double seam. From the above it will be noted that a clinching mechanism has been provided which is very'simple in construction and which travels with the container, clinching the key thereto while the container is moving.

In order to provide a traveling support for the container which conveys the container during the clinching of the key thereto, a machine has been constructed with a carriage 110. This carriage is provided with spaced supportingplates 111 and 112 on itsupper face, and the upper faces of these plates are in alinement with the upper faces of the table 4 on which the container travels. These plates 111 and 112 are spaced from each other so as to provide a slot113. The finger 90f the conveyor chain moves through this slot in'the table, and there is a support 114 extending through a recess in the table which supports the chain and holds it out of contact with'the table. This table is provided with rollers 115. There are four of these rollers, and they are mounted on ball bearings attached to the carriage. The rollers run on tracks 116 carried by the frame of the machine. The carriage is moved back-and forth in timing with the travel 01 the clinching head'by the direct connection therewith. The clinchingheiidcarries a depending arm 117. This arm extends down beneath the carriage and alongside of the same. Extending laterally from the carriage are supporting bearing studs on'which are mounted rollers 118 and'119. These rollers are located on opposite sides of the depending arm 117 and are mounted on suitable ball bearings. The faces of the rollers are shaped so as to contact with the depending arm 11'! and prevent any lateral movement of said depending arm relative to the carriage in a direction at right angles to the path of Said depending arm, however, is free to move up and down, and the lateral movements of the clinching head through this depending arm 117 will impart lateral movements to the carriage. The clinching head moves down into operative position for clinching the key, and during this movement it travels in a forward direction. It will impart a similar movement to the container through this connection with the carriage. The speed of travel of the head of the carriage is slightly faster than the travel of the conveyor fingers 9, so that, the container is under. control of the movements of the carriage on which it rests during the clinching of the key to the container. When the clinching head is raised from its contact with the key and moves through its idle or retracting movements for operation on the next container, the carriage will also be retracted to receive the container from the main table, which container is placed on the carriage by the traveling conveyor chain 8.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the supporting plate 112 has a forwardly projecting portion 112" and also a rearwardly projecting portion 112*. Likewise, the plate 111 has a forwardly projecting portion 111 and a rearwardly projecting portion lll The supporting members 4 and 4 of the table 4 are, of course, cut away to provide a space in which the carriage reciprocates, and they are also recessed to receive these projecting members. The purpose of these projecting members is to prevent the container leaving the table 4 before it is moved on to the carriage. That is to say, a portion of the carriage overlaps the table, and the container will pass on to the carriage before it leaves the table, and after it is clinched it will pass on to the table before the carriage leaves it. This provides a means for supporting and conveying the container so that there is no possible chance of the container being stopped by any projecting portion of the machine while it is passing from the table on to the carriage and from the carriage again on to the table. The guide rails 6 and 7 extend alongside of the traveling carriage so that the container is continuously under control as it passes through the machine.

The clincher head is raised. or lowered by raising or lowering the upright frame member 2 The upright frame member 2 is provided with a lug 120 which is threaded Jand-a threaded shaft 121 engages the same. This shaft is seated in a bearing 122. The shaft carries a worm gear 123, and means, not shown, is provided for manually turning this gear .123. The upright member 2 slides vertically. between guiding members 124, 124, one ofwhich is shown in broken lines in Fig. 3. By turn'mg'this shaft 121, the upright frame member 2 may be raised, and this will raise the clinching head. It is not necessary to disconnect any of the-actuating parts when this shifting of the clinching head takes place, for the reason that the operating shaft 82 for the parts in'the clinching head, has a shiftable connectionwith the sleeve 83 which is provided by the key 84 and the slabbing of the side of the shaft 82.

The bracket 23 is attached to this upright frame member 2 by bolts 125 and 126. The shaft 60 has a splined connection with the arm 63 so that it may be raised and lowered without disconnectingthe shaft from the arm. When the clinching head is raised, it will likewise raise the bracket 23 and the magazine, so that by the one adjustment, the magazine is positioned and the clinching head is also positioned for operating upon containers of different heights.

The operation of the key attaching machine is thought to be obvious from the detail description which has been given. The containers are delivered one at'a time by. a tiinihgmechanism on to a supporting table, and properly positioned relative to traveling fingers carried by the'conveyor chain, so that they are moved along the 'tablein spaced relation to each other. The keys are stacked in a magazine, and are delivered one at a time from the lower end of the magazine, and positioned on the supporting plate directly over the container by an operating slide which is actuated by. the traveling containensol that if there is no container to receive a key, no

key will be delivered from the magazine: The key is yieldingly retained on the supporting plate in a proper. position so that the double seam will engage the hook end andpull itfrom the plate, and the key will then drop on to the container. Atthis time, there is a guide which aids in the positioning of the key onithecontainer, so that when the container moves be-h neath the clinchingmechanism, the key will be properly placed on the container for engagement bytthe clinching devices." Thekey is placed on the container while itiis traveling and without any retarding of the movement of the container. The container with the key placed thereon moves beneath the clinching head, and it is transferred to a traveling carriage moving in timing with the clinching head, which receives; supports and carries the container along during the clinching operation. This carriage is moved by the clinching head itself, so that they mustmove in absolute timing. Theclinching head in its travel places the clinching anvil against the key, holding the key against the container end, and with the hook portion thereof against the inner face of the double seam. Then it is that themovable finger is brought into action for bending the end of the key beneath the double seam. The movement of the clinching finger is controlled by the container itself, as it is the downward movement of the sleeve carrying the c'linching finger contacting with the container that brings about the operation of the movable finger. It will be noted that this clinching of the key to the con tainer takes place while the container is traveling and. without any retarding movement of the container. This placing of the key on the'container and the clinching of the key to the container while the container is traveling} greatly c ontributes to a high-speed key attaching machine. 1

While the clinching unit has been described as used in connectionwith a continuously traveling conveyor, it will beunderstood that it may be used as a stationary unit, and is so shown, de-

scribed and claimed in the 'copending application Serial No. 659,422, filed of even date herewith.

While the machine has been described as for the purpose of attachingkey's with slots-therein for attachment to the tongue of a tearing strip, it will be'understood that it may be used with other types of keys for opening containers,'andin fact, with any can opening device which itis desired to connect to the container sothat it may be associated with the container and sold therewith, and later removed from the container for the means for placing a key on the container while it is moving, means for clinching the key to the container and means for supporting and moving said clinching means with the container while clinching the key thereto.

i 2. Amachine for attaching keys to containers comprising means for conveying the container, means for placing a key on the container, means for clinching the key to the container, and means for supporting and moving said clinching means with the container while clinching the key thereto. 1 v i i 3. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprisingmeans" for conveying the container, meansfor placing a key on the container while it is "moving, means for clinching the key to the container, and means for supporting and moving said clinching means with the container while clinching the key thereto.

4. Amachine for attaching keys to container comprising means for continuously conveying a container through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, means controlled by the passing container for delivering a key from the magazine on tothe container, and means traveling with the container for clinching the key thereto. l

5. A machine forattaching keys tocontainers comprising means for continuouslyconveying a container through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, a supporting plate at the lower end of the magazine having a downwardly inclined face, a finger at the lower end of the magazine for supporting the hook end of a key, a slide operated by a traveling container forforcing the key along said plate and off the end of said finger so as to place the hook end of said key in the path of travel of the doubleseam of thecontainer, andyielding means for holding comprising means for continuously conveying acontainer through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, a supporting plate at the lower end of the magazine having a downwardly inclined face, a finger at the lower end'of the magazine for supportingthe hook end of a key, a slide operated by a traveling containerfor forcing the key along said plate and ofi the end of said finger so as to place the hook end of said key in the path of travelof the double seam of the container, and yielding means for holding the key on the supporting plate until removed therefrom by the container, the end of said slide being shaped so as to movethe key bodily and place the same with the longitudinal axis thereof in alinement with the path of travel ofthe container, yielding means for holding the key on the supporting plate until removed therefrom by the container, and a guiding' member overhanging the container and having a groove in its under face parallel with the path of travel of the container for guiding the .key and pre: venting lateral movement thereof on the con-. tainer.

1:8.3A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising means for continuously conveying a container through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, a supporting plate at the lower end of the magazine having a downwardly inclined face, a finger at the lower end of the magazine for supporting the hook end of a key, a slide operated by a traveling container for forcing the key along said plate and off the-end of said finger so as .to place the hookend of said key in the path of travel of the double seam of the container, yielding means for holding the key on the supporting plate until removed therefrom by the container, and a guiding member overhanging the container and having agroove in its under face parallel with the path of travel of the container for guiding the. key and pre venting lateral movement thereof on the container, said guiding member being yieldably moved toward the container, and an adjustable stop for positioning the same.

' 9. A machine-for attaching keys tocOntainers comprising means for continuously conveyinga container through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, a supporting plate beneath said magazine having a downwardly inclined face, a finger at the lower end of said magazine for supporting the keys, and off from the end of which the keys may be forced on to said plate and supported directly over the path of travel of the container with the hook end of the key posi-. tioned for engagement with the double seam of the container, yielding means for holding the key on the supporting plate, a slide for moving thev key from, beneath the magazine into position for engagement with the container, aspring for retracting. the slide, an arm having a cam finger lying normally in the path of travel of the container and movable thereby, and, devices for connecting said arm to the slide whereby the container will move the slide to place the key through, contact with said: arm.

10. A machine for attaching keys. to containers.

I holding stacked keys, a supporting plate at the lower end of the magazine having a downwardly I inclined face, a finger at the lower end ofthe magazinefor supporting the hook end. of a key, a slide operated by a traveling container for forcing the key along said plate and off the end of said finger so as to placethehook end of said key in the path of travel of the double seam of the containen and yielding means for holding the key; on the supporting plate untilremoved therefrom by the container, and. means traveling with the container for clinchingthe hook end of the key to the double seam thereof.

11. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising means for continuously conveying a container through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, a supporting plate at the lower end of the magazine having a downwardly inclined face, a finger at the lower end of the magazine for supportingthe hookend of a key, a slide operated by a traveling container for forcing the key along said plate andioff the end of said finger so as to place the hook end of said keyin the pathof travelo I" the. double seam of the container, yielding means for holding the key onthe supporting plate until removed therefrom y. he ontainer, the end. at aid lide; bein shaped so. as to move the key bodily and place the same with the longitudinal axis thereof inalinement with the path of travel of the container, and means traveling with the. container for clinching the hook end of the key to the double seam thereof.

12. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising means for. continuously conveying a container through the machine, a magazine for holding stacked keys, a supporting plate beneath said magazine having a downwardly inclined face, a finger at the lower end of said magazine for supporting the keys, and off from the end of which the keys, may: be forced on tosaid plate and supported directly over the path of travel of the container with the hook end of the key positioned for engagement with the double seam of the container, yielding means for holding the key on the supporting plate, a slide for moving the; key from beneath the magazine into position for engagement with the container, a spring for retracting the slide, an arm having a cam finger lying normally in the path of travel of the container and movable. thereby, devices for connecting said arm tothe slide whereby the container will move the slide to place the key through contact with said arm, and means traveling with the container for clinching the hook end of the key to the double seam thereof.

13. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a support forthe container, a clinching head, means for raising and lowering said clinching head relative to saidcontainer support, said clinching head including a supporting member movable with the clinching head and having a limited vertical movement therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, clinching devices carried by said supporting; member, and means carried by said head for actuating the clinching devices when said head is moved relative to the supporting member.

14, A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a support for the container, a clinching head, means for raising and lowering said clinching head relative tosaid container support, said clinching head including asupporting member movable with the clinching head and having alimited vertical movement-therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its; movement, a clinching anvil fixed. to the-Su porting member, a. clinching finger pivoted to, said supporting membenan abutment, carried by said; head and adapted. to engage said clinching finger for moving the same toward the anvil when thedownward movement of the supporting member, is stopped. and a spring for normally, holding said clinching finger incontact with said abutment.

15. A machinefor-attachingkeys to containers comprising a support for thecontainer, a clinch;- ing head, means far raising and lowering said clinching head-relative tosaid container support; said clinching head including asupporting membermovable with the clinching head and having alimited vertical movementtherein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, a clinching anvil fixed to the supporting member, a clinching finger pivoted to said supportingmember, an abutment carriedby said headjandadaptedto engage said clinching finger for moving the same toward the anvilwhen the downward movement of the'supportingmember. is; stopped, aspring for normally holding said clinching finger in contact with said abutment, and means whereby said abutment contacting with the clinching finger may be adjusted for varying the movement of the clinching finger relative to the anvil.

16. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a support for the container, a clinch ing head, means for raising and lowering said clinching head relative to said container support, said clinching head including a supporting member movable with the clinching headand having a limited vertical movement therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, clinching devices carried by said supporting member, and means carried by said head for actuating the clinching devices when said head is moved relative to the supporting member, said supporting member having a cross bar attached thereto adapted to contact with the container for limiting the downward movement of the supporting member. I

17. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a support for the container, a clinching head, means for raising and lowering said clinching head relative to said container support, said clinching head including a supporting member movable with the clinching head and having a limited verticalmovement therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, a clinching anvil fixed to the supporting member, a clinching finger pivoted to said supporting member, an abutment carried by said head and adapted to engage said clinching finger for moving the same toward the anvil when the downward movement of the supporting member is stopped, and a spring for normally holding said clinching finger in contact with said abutment, said supporting member having a cross bar attached thereto adapted to contact with the container for limiting the downward movement of the supporting member.

18. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a clinching head, rotating members arranged one above the other, cranks carried thereby and connected to said clinching head for supporting and bodily moving the same, said clinching head including a supporting member movable with the head and having a limited vertical movement therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, clinching devices carried by said supporting member, and means carried by said clinching head for actuating the clinching devices when said head is moved relative to the supporting member.

19. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a clinching head, rotating members arranged one above the other, cranks carried thereby and connected to said clinching head for supporting and bodily moving the same, said clinching head including a supporting member movable with the head and having a limited vertical movement therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, clinching devices carried by said supporting member, means carried by said clinching head for actuating the clinching devices when said head is moved relative to the supporting member, and a bar carried by said supporting member adapted to contact with the container for limitingthe downward movement of the supporting member.

20. A machine for attaching keys to containers comprising a clinching head, rotating members arranged one above the other, cranks carried thereby and connected to said clinching head for supporting and bodily moving the same, said clinching head including a supporting member movable with the head and having a limited vertical movement therein, a spring for yieldingly holding said supporting member at the lower end of its movement, a clinching anvil removably connected to the supporting member, a clinching finger pivotally connected to said supporting member, a bar fixed to said supporting member and adapted to contact with the container for limiting the downward movement of the supporting member, an adjustable abutment carried by said clinching head and adapted to engage the clinching finger for moving the same toward the anvil when the bar contacts with the container and stops the downward movement of the supporting member, and a spring normally holding said clinching finger in contact with said abutment.

ALFRED L. KRONQUEST. 

